The council met in secret to dig itself out of the hole it dug
A closed-door caucus of Olympia's aldermen wrestles with the bond debt their own street work created — then adjourns for drinks, with the press locked out.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
A secret caucus of the gentlemen who plunged Olympia in debt beyond the limit, and ordered an expensive election for bonds without taking Davy Crockett's advice, was held last night in the city council chamber. The able city attorney was present. The astute Mayor presided, and Mr. Murphy, the "paste pot" financier, was on hand, together with his fellow councilmen.
Financier Murphy did not think much of Judge Dennison's decision about the bonds. Financier Percival thought that Appolonia Hoffman's property had been benefited by the washing of dirt on to it. Financier and Contractor Liberman, who was not present, is to be asked to let up on his contract work on Page street—for a consideration. This made Financier Sickles smile and wink at Financier Hoff. The latter almost wept as he proposed various plans to get the city out of the hole his administration had put it in.
After the able financiers had talked over the bond question they adjourned without coming to any final decision. Some of them went to their homes, others went somewhere else and "shook for drinks." There were no reporters or spectators allowed in the "caucus."
“Some of them went to their homes, others went somewhere else and "shook for drinks." There were no reporters or spectators allowed in the "caucus."”
Olympia's aldermen borrowed past the legal limit for street grading and bond elections, then retreated behind a closed door to sort out the mess — a scene that would be recognizable to anyone who has watched a modern city council debate debt capacity or hash out a budget in executive session. The Tribune's answer was to name names, mock the proceedings, and remind readers that the doors were shut.
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